Plants of the gods and shamanic journeys
Elaine K. Perry, Valerie L. Laws
Advances in Consciousness Research October 28, 2010 DOI: 10.1075/aicr.79.37per (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Commentary Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Shamanism |
| Key points | Argues that the ritualistic use of psychoactive plants, validated by scientific evidence, and the study of shamanic altered states may contribute new insights into the neuroscience of consciousness. |
Abstract
Among agents which alter the boundary between conscious and non conscious cognition, the ritualistic use of plant species (often in a spiritual context, hence ‘plants of the gods’) provides an example of long-standing empirical knowledge subsequently verified by scientific (chemical, pharmacological and psychological) evidence. Based on such an impressive record of acquired knowledge, exploration of experiences of the shaman, who deliberately enters an altered state of consciousness to obtain otherwise inaccessible information allegedly from other ‘dimensions’ of consciousness, may contribute new insights in the neuroscience of consciousness.